Obituary of Lawrence Patrick Bills
Lawrence Patrick Bills left this life on October 14, 2024 to fly with the angels. He was a faithful, honorable, and trustworthy man. Pat was born on October 5, 1950 to Lawrence and Evelyn Bills in Salmon, Idaho. He was welcomed by his siblings, Anita, Jon, and Gary. Together they worked a mink and cattle ranch where they all learned the value of hard work.
From his early teenage years Pat was enamored with airplanes and flying. His family owned a private aircraft and he obtained his pilot’s license at a young age. He also earned his Eagle Scout Award. At age 17 his life hung in the balance when he was shot in the abdomen in a freak accident while working on the ranch. His survival and recovery were miraculous.
Pat attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, for two years, then he transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he concurrently earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Mechanical Engineering, graduating with high honors. He was a true blue BYU Cougar fan to the end.
Just prior to his 24th birthday, Pat received a call to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan where he learned Mandarin Chinese. He never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone who spoke Chinese. He loved the gospel and never passed up an opportunity to share his testimony.
He spent most of his career working as a rocket scientist. He worked for Boeing in Seattle, Washington, and Lockheed Martin in Denver, CO. When Boeing and Lockheed merged their launch divisions, a new company called United Launch Alliance (ULA) was created and Pat finished his career with ULA . Working with rockets was exhilarating for him, and he was thrilled to be chosen to go to Cape Canaveral to watch the launch of a rocket he had worked on. He was allowed to bring the whole family, and he was proud to be able to show us what he did to provide for our family.
While living in Denver, Colorado, he had almost given up on finding a bride but on September 19, 1987 he attended what he vowed would be his last single adult dance. God had other plans and He is always 10 steps ahead. Wendy Hamlin walked in and his heart was smitten. They danced the night away. After dating for 18 months, they were married in the Denver Colorado Temple on June 16, 1989. She is the love of his life. Even while declining from Alzheimer’s disease, he would say to her, “You have the most beautiful eyes. I love, love, love you.” His last words to his wife were, “Will you marry me?”
Pat loved being a father to his three daughters, Lindsay, Melissa, and Nicole. He was very proud of each one and loved each one with his whole heart. He enjoyed playing a game he made up called “Trap Tiger” and the girls loved it as much as he did. He was a big fan of Disney and treated the family to many trips to Disney World and Disneyland.
An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life, he served in many callings, Stake and Ward Clerk, Elder’s Quorum and High Priest Quorum Counselor, and more. More than anything he loved to serve in the temple. After retirement, he and Wendy attended the temple often.
He adored his eight grandchildren, and the arrival of each one brought great joy to him. He also deeply loved the three wonderful men our daughters chose to marry, Daniel, Tyson, and Gavin. What a blessing they are!
He is survived by his loving wife, Wendy (Hamlin) Bills. His daughters, Lindsay Stephenson (Daniel), Melissa Perry (Tyson), and Nicole McMahan (Gavin). His grandchildren: Kate, Andrew, Henry, Evan, and Lucy Stephenson, and Lily, Jayden, and Riley Perry. His sister-in-law, Linelle Bills (Jon).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Evelyn Bills. His sister, Anita Cross and her husband, Gene. His brother Jon Bills, and brother Gary Bills and his wife, Annette.
We are deeply grateful to all of the individuals who cared for Pat at Avalon Memory Care in Fort Worth and All Star Hospice. They cared for him with such love and kindness. We love each of you.
Alzheimer’s is a very difficult disease for the person who has it and for those who love them. We are grateful for the time we have had with Pat. It has presented us with the opportunity to forgive what we did not understand, and we have learned to have more love and compassion. It has forever changed our hearts.
Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 21st, 2024, at Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home, 6009 Wedgwood Dr, Fort Worth TX 76133.
The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/share/kfxqP72xHWs5hCdf/
Grave Dedication following the service with interment at the Burleson Memorial Cemetery, 490 Memorial Plaza, Burleson, Texas 76028.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s name to the Humanitarian Services Fund for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
or to BYU Life Sciences where they are researching Alzheimer’s Disease
https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/contribute/byu/life-sciences/cell-biology-physiology
In Loving Memory
Lawrence Bills
1950 - 2024
6009 Wedgwood Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76133
Phone: (817) 292-2250